The foundation stone for the over 9-km-long first phase of Jaipur Metro Rail project was laid Thursday by Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath, who also announced clearance for its second phase. Work on the 24-km-long second phase from Ambabari to Sitapura, at an investment of nearly Rs.7,000 crore, will start by the end of this year, he said. "The chief minister (Ashok Gehlot) met me recently in Delhi and requested me to approve the second phase and again today he asked me to clear the project. I took the request as an order from my old friend and my ministry gives approval to second phase today (Thursday) and I hope the work will start by the end of this year," said Kamal Nath. During the ceremony held in Mansarovar area of the city, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) managing director E. Sreedharan said the first phase with 9.25 km of track will be complete by 2013.Sreedharan said that in terms of time in completing the work on the first phase, the Jaipur Metro was poised to set a world record. "After Dubai, Jaipur Metro’s first phase will be completed in the shortest period of time," he said. Gehlot, who was the chief guest, said that the Jaipur Metro will prove to be a big step in state capital's development. The project will cost Rs.1,250 crore, he added. "The opposition is criticising us for spending a huge sum of money, but they are not realising the fact Jaipur is growing at a fast pace," he said. He said that there is no death of funds, but investing with wisdom and vision is the key. "We will invest in such a manner that benefits reach the common man," he added.